Each year, the Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) Auxiliary offers scholarships to area high school graduates or continuing college students pursuing a career in a medical or health-related field. This year, the Auxiliary named six recipients who each received $3,000 for a grand total of $18,000.
The 2016 SYVCH Auxiliary scholarship selection committee consists of co-chairs Judy Duffy and JoAnn Taylor and members Barbara Davidge, Kathy Erb, Sharon Lewis and Reyna Pass.
Taylor stated in a press release, “Our committee received 26 scholarship applications this year, the most we have ever had. It was challenging to narrow the field with so many deserving students.”
She said the committee based its selections on class ranking, grade point average, extra-curricular activities, community and volunteer service, and a well-written personal essay.
SYVCH vice-president Wende Cappetta said in the press release, “The SYVCH Auxiliary has changed so many lives and has helped support future medical professionals achieve their dreams. I’m so proud of the hard work and dedication our hospital auxiliary members do; not only for the hospital but also for the community at large. They raise every single cent for these scholarships through their incredible volunteer efforts.”
The six 2016 scholarship recipients were honored during the Auxiliary’s annual member Thank You Picnic held on April 28, at the Santa Ynez Valley Historical Museum. The scholarship recipients are as follows:
Jacob Alderete and Timothy Gauthier of Solvang; Cecilia Guerrero of Santa Ynez; and Jasmin Ortiz, Ghiwa Samaan, and Cole Savidan of Buellton. All the students are seniors at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.
This article appears in May 19-26, 2016.